4th November 2020

A 67-year-old man is admitted to hospital, having become confused

A 67-year-old man is admitted to hospital, having become confused. Routine blood tests, urinalysis, and a chest x-ray are all normal, aside from mild macrocytic anaemia. His confusion worsens over the next few days – he is not orientated to time, place or person, and when asked about how he is feeling or his background, tells rambling stories about needing to go to the shops. Over the next few weeks, he becomes increasingly withdrawn and ceases to engage with the medical, nursing or therapy teams. A collateral history from a cousin reveals that he has been suffering from alcoholism since getting divorced from his wife, around 20 years ago.

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